SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 18, 15 July 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

RACING FIXTUREJuly 15, 19, 22—Wellington R. C. Winter. August 8, 10, 12—Canterbury J.C. Grand National. COMING EVENTS. New Zealand. July 15—Wellington Winter Hurdles. July IB—Wellington Steeplechase. Aug. B—Grand National Steeplechase. Aug. 10—Grand National Hurdle Race. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Opening day at Trentham. Lady Mildred should pay her way next aeason. Paritutu will be ridden by T. Pine at, Trentham. This is the season for coughs—Elcctrakoffs. Cork and The Plough have been scratched for all Wellington engagements.

Lady Fran dashed over four furlongs in good style at Trentham on Wednesday morning, and B. Nicholls has the mare very fit. The appeal of the Egmont R.C against the decision of the Taranaki Metropolitan Club in removing R. Barlow's disqualification will be heard in Wellington next week.

Hawera sports have it all cut and dried. Compass for the Winter Hurdles, and Paritutu for the National—a modest programme! A Wanganui enthusiast describes North-East as "a regular railway train." It is to be hoped that the chestnut will prove a more reliable conveyance than the average New Zealand train. The effort to save Pohutu, who broke a pastern a fortnight ago, proved to be hopeless, and the horse was accordingly given the friendly bullet. Ribston Pippin appears to have become an unreliable customer. On Tuesday he jumped in good style, but the next morning he refused one jump, and went right through the next, eventually pulling up slightly sore. A few "new" horses likely to sport silk in the Trial Plate to-day are: ; St. Gate (full-brother to St. Bill); Ovation (full-brother to Provocation and Tribulation); a K.iramu candidate in Ainsdalc; Somersault, who carries Clifford* "chequers"; and Lady Mildred, a ,Ha-wera-trained daughter of Cordon Rouge. Sandstream, looking fine and lusty after a spell, has been put into work again at Napier. A little Provocation is a dangerous thing. Staybov is being schooled over the big fences, and if all goes well he will fee° given a flutter in the minor steeplechases at Riccarton next month.

<• The Poriruatrained St. Petersburg i> said to be in good buckle, and may run forward in Trentham engagements. Compass has been going great guns at Hawera recently, and appears to have almost regained his old form. Trainer E. Cutts must be counted amongst the veteran trainers, but the "daddy" of 'em all is old Ike Freeth, of TaUherenikau, who is just on,eighty wear's of age, and is still putting the fb-'l polish on erratic racehorses. Jockey A. McConnon will ride Xavier and St. Amelia at Trentham. After a resultless season at the stud Flitaway will make her Teappearanco under silk in the Parliamentary Handicap. A Napier scribe states that Gold Circle is in great heart and much improved by recent racing. Iney is described as the best conditioned horse at Trentham. Against weak fields at Gishorne last week she won under lOst 4lb and list respectively. Gold Thread returned to Wellington bv the Ulimaroa on Wednesdav.

Mr. J. Goodwin has a promising halfsister to Volume, named Topic, in work at Hawera.

, Before coming north My Lawyer showed his connections some rousinfr gallops, but the much-boomed southerner has yet to give North Island sports a taste of his quality. Sam Pan will have to show improved form to have a thance in the Miramar Handicap. St. Aidan continues to show an aptitude for clever fencing at Tlieearton, and mav he heard of next month.

Appin has come on a,lot recently, and will be sent to Iticcarton next week.

Now pensioned off, the veteran Irish is turned out on Mr. Geo. Currie'a station at Wanganui. There must be any amount of "rubbish" entered for the next Melbourne Cup when only three horses are weighted at over (Ist., and no less than sixty-eight are fired in at the minimum. Corazon continues to show good form at Napier, and with all his weight is likely to prove dangerous at Tlieearton. On the strength of his easy victory in the Hnwke's Bay Hurdles, Continuance finds plenty of friends for the Grand National Hurdle Race. Hawke's Bay horses promise to have something to say in the settlement of the big events at the Canterbury meeting. Centaur lias only done easy work since goinc down lo Trentham. but his trainer. H. Hickcy, is quite satisfied with the horse's condition, and his bold showing against Continuance at Hastings proves him to he a dangerous horse at all times.

Mr. Clianev's horses are being looked after by G. Morris, who was at one time connected with R. J. Mason's stable. The Australian-bred Game was not started the first day at Gisbome, but made no race of the second hurdle race, and paid a fairly tali price. Do'sircr Bank, under J. Chaafer's care, is looking well, and may show up shortlv.

At last people are awakening l to the fi>ct Ihat horse-racing and sport generally threatens to be wiped out in this Dominion. Auckland sportsmen held a monster meeting this week, and the League is now on a firm footing in the north. The League's secretary, Mr. ■T. B. Xorris. has invited delegates from all racing and trottincr elubs to meet at the Town Hall, Wellington, on July 18th.